The Workers’ Compensation and Risk Specialist III is responsible for managing complex workers’ compensation claims and serving as a subject matter expert for the organization’s workers’ compensation program. This role leads high-exposure claim strategies, partners cross-functionally to reduce risk, and drives continuous improvement in claim outcomes, cost containment, and employee experience. The Specialist III also plays a key role in enterprise risk management initiatives and mentors junior team members.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Claims Management & Strategic Oversight
• Manage the full lifecycle of workers’ compensation claims, including complex, high-exposure, litigated, and multi-jurisdictional cases
• Serve as escalation point for challenging claims, providing guidance on compensability, reserves, and settlement strategy
• Develop and implement claim strategies to optimize outcomes, minimize risk exposure, and control total cost of risk
• Lead regular claim reviews with TPAs, carriers, and internal stakeholders to ensure proactive claim handling
• Establish appropriate reserves and approve settlements within expanded authority guidelines
• Identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for systemic improvements in claim handling
Business Partnership & Program Leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to HR, Operations, Safety, and Leadership on workers’ compensation matters
• Partner with safety teams to identify injury trends and implement prevention strategies
• Lead return-to-work program effectiveness, including modified duty strategy and vendor optimization
• Ensure compliance with all state workers’ compensation laws and OSHA requirements
• Provide guidance during audits, litigation, and regulatory inquiries
Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
• Support and influence enterprise risk management initiatives related to occupational risk
• Analyze claim data and produce insights to inform leadership decision-making
• Recommend process improvements, automation opportunities, and policy enhancements
• Participate in insurance renewal strategy, including providing loss data analysis and insights
Mentorship and Leadership
• Mentor and provide guidance to Specialist I and II roles
• Support onboarding and training of new team members
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects and initiatives
MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILTIES
• Typically reports to Director – Risk Management
• No direct reports, but provides functional leadership and mentorship to junior team members
JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Essential Skills, Abilities, and Example Behavior(s)
DELIVER QUALITY RESULTS: Able to deliver top quality service to all customers (internal and external); Able to ensure all details are covered and adhere to company policies; Able to strive to do things right the first time; Able to meet agreed-upon commitments or advises customer when deadlines are jeopardized; Able to define high standards for quality and evaluate products, services, and own performance against those standards
TAKE INITIATIVE: Able to exhibit tendencies to be self-starting and not wait for signals; Able to be proactive and demonstrate readiness and ability to initiate action; Able to take action beyond what is required and volunteers to take on new assignments; Able to complete assignments independently without constant supervision
BE INNOVATIVE / CREATIVE: Able to examine the status quo and consistently look for better ways of doing things; Able to recommend changes based on analyzed needs; Able to develop proper solutions and identify opportunities
BE PROFESSIONAL: Able to project a positive, professional image with both internal and external business contacts; Able to create a positive first impression; Able to gain respect and trust of others through personal image and demeanor
ADVANCED COMPUTER USER: Able to use required software applications to produce correspondence, reports, presentations, electronic communication, and complex spreadsheets including formulas and macros and/or databases. Able to operate general office equipment including company telephone system
JOB QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience Requirements
Skills and Competencies
• Advanced knowledge of workers’ compensation laws, claims handling, and injury management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex data
• Demonstrated negotiation and influencing skills in high-stakes situations
• Ability to manage ambiguity and lead through complex claim scenarios
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced proficiency in claims systems, RMIS, and Microsoft Office tools
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EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• 5–8 years of workers’ compensation or risk management experience required
• Professional certification (e.g., CPCU, ARM, AIC, or Workers’ Compensation certification) preferred
• Experience handling high-volume and high-complexity claims environments required
Storage Mobility was the largest independent provider of Portable on Demand Moving & Storage, or PODS. By providing the best alternative in moving and storage, PODS is rapidly becoming the leading provider of mobile mini-storage and moving services for both residential and commercial customers. PODS revolutionized the moving and storage industry by developing a proprietary hydraulic lift system that enables it to deliver a storage container to a customer on a flatbed truck, detach the container from the truck and then gently, and vertically, lower it to the ground. By detaching the storage container from the truck, PODS enables its customers to save time, money and hassle. PODS Storage Mobility LLC was acquired by PODS Enterprises, Inc. in March 2014.
